Posted by jillyluis 6A (My Page) on Fri, May 24, 13 at 23:46

Check out my previous post on this: here is the link.

I have no experience with the Fringe tree, however the Griseum is my fave, and we have several in different sizes. They grow slow, and do not have the aggressive root systems of the larger maples. However 5 ft is too close. The branches would be a bridge to squirrels and other rodents to get onto your roof and then the attic. Been there done that with a Yoshino Cherry. Try a columnar evergreen instead. If you can find another spot for the Maple, go for it, you wont be disappointed.

Be mindful plants often lean toward the source of sunlight, and a tree planted 5 feet from a house it apt to lean out and look distorted as it tries to get to the light. Not aesthetically pleasing.

Richard.

Here is a recent picture of my American Fringe Tree.
It is 8-10 years old and I have been able to trim it every year to stay at around only 5 feet tall and be more like a bush. It can be done (and still look nice in my opinion) if you want to spend the time maintaining it. The flowers are really interesting, last a pretty long time start to come out around the end of May-early June up here in New England.

nice bfred ...

but OP said: Or have to be pruned weirdly to fit in the space.

which i took to mean.. they wanted carefree. ..

any form of inground bonsai.. or annual pruning.. can make all things fit.. into all kinds of spaces ... presuming you start with a plant that can take such.. and has lower annual growth potential ....

ken